Café manager Dhiren Patel accused of sexually abusing 15-year-old employee

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged sexual abuse.

The co-owner and manager of a café in northern Canberra is alleged to have repeatedly sexually assaulted a 15-year-old employee before telling her, “Keep this a secret”.

The five charges laid over the allegations against Dhiren Patel, a 32-year-old from Gungahlin, include three counts of rape.

It is alleged he gave the girl alcohol in April 2025, then repeatedly sexually abused her at their workplace while she was intoxicated.

Afterwards, he allegedly gave her money and told her, “Keep this a secret”.

The girl went to the police a few days later.

Police raided Mr Patel’s café and home this week, during which he was arrested before facing the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday (8 May) and applying for bail.

Magistrate Alexandra Burt said from reading documents before the court, it appeared there was “significant evidence” in the matter. For example, it is alleged that the incident was partially captured on CCTV.

Defence barrister James Maher argued that while the charges were very serious, that alone did not justify the refusal of bail.

He said while it was alleged his client met the girl a couple of days after the alleged assault, there was no suggestion he’d had any more contact with her since then.

Magistrate Burt said that after reading the court documents, it appeared that his client had “lied” to the police, but Mr Maher disagreed.

He said when officers spoke to his client, his client admitted hugging the girl, that his clothes were on the floor and he had been naked in her presence.

Under questioning from Mr Maher, a police officer involved in the investigation said Mr Patel cooperated with officers and she admitted police hadn’t seen an “urgent need” to arrest him until they searched his home and café.

The barrister said his client had no criminal history, came to Australia in 2013, was now an Australian citizen, had strong ties to the ACT and would agree to effectively live under house arrest if granted bail.

Prosecutor Liam Taylor, who opposed bail, alleged Mr Patel’s behaviour towards the girl represented a significant breach of trust and there was a significant power imbalance between them.

Magistrate Burt ultimately said, despite the proposed strict bail conditions, the likelihood of Mr Patel endangering the safety or welfare of anyone was “still too great”.

She said the allegations involved grooming, a breach of trust, and she noted how he allegedly told the girl to keep the incident a secret.

Bail was refused and he was remanded in custody.

Mr Patel was charged with three counts of sexual intercourse with a person under 16, as well as single counts of committing an act of indecency on a person under 16 and supplying liquor to a young person.

He wiped his eyes and sniffled while he was being charged and during much of his bail application, but made no visible reaction when bail was refused.

Mr Maher said he currently expected the charges would be defended.

The matter was adjourned to 29 May.

If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.